Centrifugal separator.



v. Mimi-BOD. GENTRIFUGAL SEPARATOR. APPLICATION FILED 831 33. 6, 1910;

' Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

1 Hume? CHARLES MCLEOD, F TORONTO, ONTARIO; CANADA.

CFIN'IRIFUGAL SEPARATOR. I

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 20, 1912.

Application filed September 6, 1910. Serial No. 580.506.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that 1, CHARLES McLaon, of

- the city of Toronto, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Centrifugal Separators, of which the following is a speci- 'fication.

-This invention relates particularly to the meansof supporting and drivii the bowl of the separator. It is desirable-to have the bowl supported so as to be vertically adjustable to enable the skim milk and cream outlets to be brought at any time into proper relationship to the discharge spouts. Vertical adjustment. is also needed when bowls of different size are employed at different times on the same frame.

' This invention also relates to certain improven'icnts in the means of supporting and drivin, the bowl so that it may revolve freely about the axis in which its center of gravity lies, whether such axis coincides with the geometrical axis of the bowl spindle or not and to the arrangement and loca tion of the clutch whereby the bowl is left free to revolve after the driving shaft is stopped.

The nal are and scope of the invention will be best ascertained on reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of my improved separator. Fig. 2 is a face view of the friction clutch. Fig. I) is an enlarged sectional elevation of the divided spindle and the dividcd tube in which its the friction clutch F, hereinafter more particularly described. The intermediate shaft ('l i the bowl spindle through the medium of the usual spiral gear G. The bowl spindle formed in parts, the lower part H beingdriven as described from the intermediate shaft and having a step bearing I in the lower part of the frame. The upper end of the lower part If of the spindle runs in a steadyinn' bearing J carried by the frame of the machine. This bearing is preferably a separate piece shaped as a frustum cone and dropped into a similarly shaped recess in the frame so that it is readily inserted in place or removed as desired.

The upper part K of the spindle is telescopically coupled with the lower part in order that the upper part of the spindle may be adjusted to vary the height of the bowl as hereinafter described, without affooting the lower part. I preferably form this telescopic coupling by boring out the upper end of the lower part of the spindle H, and inserting therein the lower end of the upper part of the spindle which is prefclably reduced in diameter as shown. A pin l. passes through the upper end of the lower part of the spindle and through a longitudinal slot a fornnd in the lower end of the upper part of the spindle. 'The-upper part of the spindle may thus be raised and lowered whilc maintaining a driving conllcctiou with the lower part. The upper part of the spindle passes through the two parts M and N of a supporting and adjustint: tube and engages the upper part ofthe tube through the medium of a thrust bcaring 0, preferably of the ball bearing type shown particularly in Fig. 3.

The supporting tube is adjustable intermediate i s cnds preferably by having one part threaded to screw within the other part. In the drawings l show the lower part screwed into the upper. a lock nut M being also provided-to lock the parts as adjusted. The lower part. N of the tube preferably closely embraces the lowcr end of the uppe part K of the spindle to form a slcadyins: bearing therefor. The stcadying bearing .l of the lower part ofthe spindle also serves to support the supporting tube, the lower part N of the tube resting on the hearing as shown. The engaging parts are preferably curvc'dkas shown particularly in Fig. 3 to permit of the supporting tube swinging slightly on the bearing J as hereinafter described. The upper part M of the tube passes through an elastic bearing, carried in a sleeve or box R screwed into a suitable recess in the frame. This elastic bearing allows a slight vibration of the upper part K of the spindle, when the machine is running without the vibrations be ing imparted to the frame of the machine, the tube supporting the spindle rocking slightly as may be required on the steadying bearing J while the elastic bearing tends yieldingly to maintain the tube and the sleeve or box R and loose on the tube M, and

a collar WV secured to the upper part M of the tube." This spring not only provides a yielding pressure tending to hold the sup porting tube down against the bearing J thus preventing the lifting and chattering of the tube on the support, but also by clamping the disk Q, betweenthe disk B and the annular shoulder 0 produces suiticien't friction to dampen any rebound which might cause the spindle and the tube to fly past the center by continued movement in the same direction in which they returned to the center.

The bowl is supported and given a driving connection with the upper part K of the bowl spindle by the following construction: The bot am of the bowl is concave, as shown, and in it is formed the socket S which fits the head of the conical connecting piece T fitted upon the upper end of the upper part K of the bowl spindle, as hereinafter described. The driving connection is formed between the bowl and the head by means of a trans verse feather b in the socket S which fits into a corresponding transverse slot formed in the top of the head of the connecting piece T.

The conical connecting piece T is connected to the bowl spindle in the followln g manner: The upper-end of the upper part K of the spindle is made hemispherical in form and this in effect forms the. ball d which is fitted into-a similarly shaped socketformed in the connecting piece. A slight play allowed between the spindle and the recess in the connecting piece. or head which permits of the connecting piece having a limited rocking movement in any direction on the end of the spindle. The pin 0 projects from the connecting piece G into a slot (2 formed in the end of the spindle. This pin will form a driving connection between the spindle and the connecting piece without interfering with the freedom of the latter to rock.

The connecting piece carrying the head will usually remain in position on the spindle while the bowl is readily lifted off whenever desired.

From the constructions I have described it will be seen that the bowlis free to rock in order that it may rotate about an axis passing through its center of gravity. The

spindle being supported in the tube which has an elastic supporting bearing on the frame of the machine, is free to move in. any direction to accommodate itself to the requirements of the rotating bowl without jarring the machine. The bowl also is readily adjusted in height as required by fscrewing together or unscrewing the parts of the supporting tube.

I have hereinbefore referred to the clutch F which is located at the outer-end of the intermediate shaft C. This is of an ordinary ball friction clutch type, the outer part I being secured to the end of the shaft while the inner part U is fitted on the square. extension f formed on the outer side of the pinionlfl. The friction members cooperating with the clutch members are the balls 5/ operating in the wedge shaped spaces cut rom the inner clutch member U, in the ordinary manner. This location and arrangement ofthe friction clutch enables me to bring the pinion E close against the adjacent bearing of the intermediate shaft.

As the clutch is between the pinion E and the intermediate shaft C, when the driving shaft is stopped to allow the bowl to run down, the only other part moving beside the bowl and bowl spindle is the ii'itern'lediate shaft worm wheel and outer member of the clutch; the gears D and E being idle. The particular arrangeniient described of the shafts, gearing and clutch is thus of much importance as giving the greatest strength and steadiness when running and the least wear when the machine is running down. The clutch also takes up the driving of the bowl very quickly when the poweris applied to the driving shaft.

Owing to the difliculty of always keeping the recess in the connecting piece T of the proper size when tempering the piece, I prefer to employ the following means for pre venting undue rocking of the bowl, in the event of the hole being a little too loose. A tight crimped spring D fits in a shallow annular groove within the piece and bears against the spindle K, preferably through the medium of the sleeve E secured to the spindle and forming part of the thrust bearing 0 (see Fig. 4:). This spring effectively rcstrains undue lunging of the bowl.

What I claim as my invention is l. Tn a centrifugal separator the-combination of a bowl; a bowl spindle; a tube at i the bowl end of the spindle in which the spindle has a thrust bearing and through the lower end of which the spindle projects; and means for vertically ad usting the tube .to vary the height of the bowl.

lower end of the tube; and means for verti-- cally adji ng the tube to vary the height of the bowl.

In a centrifugal separator the combination of a bowl; a bowl. spindle; a tube at ,the bowl end of the spindle in which the spindle has a thrust bearing and through the lower end of which the spindle projects, said tube being formed of an upper and lower part; and means toryertically adjusting the upper part of the tube.

l. In a ceiiitritugal separator the combination of a bowl; a bowl spindle; a tube in which the spindle has a thrust bearing; and means 'intern'iediatc the ends of the tube for vertically adjusting the tube to vary the height of the bowl.

5. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a bowl; bowl spindle; a tube in which the spindle has thrust bearing, said tube being divided into upper and lower parts; and means intermediate the ends of the tube for vertically adjusting the upper part of the tube on the lower to vary the height of the bowl;

6. In a centrifugal separator the combination ofa bowl; a bowl spindle; a tube; a thrust bearing between the spindle and the tube; an elastic bearing for the tube intermediate its ends; and means for vertically adjusting the tube to vary the height of the bowl.

7. In a centrifugal separator the emnbination of a bowl; a-bowl spindle; a tube; a thrust bearing" between the spindle and the tube; an elastic l'iearing for the tube intermediate its ends; and a sleeve carrying said elastic bearing and vertically adjustable on the frame of the machine.

8. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a tube guided at.its lower end; an elastic bearing for said tube adjacent to its other end; a bowl spindle having a suitable bearing in said tube nearits upper'end and suitably guided at its lower end; a bowl;

and a balland socket connection jet-ween the upper end of the spindle and the bowl.

9. In a centrifugal se 'iarator the conii. hit of a bowl; a bowl spindle;

iniille has thrust bearir l l into upper and mwer "ls having a on too other; and u; the parts as adjusted.

tube r parts and the tube am" 7 r v screw adjustment ti e on a lock nut to; i z

Pal separator the combil0. in a, centritu I nation of a bowl; a bowl spindle divided into upper and lower parts telescopically &

coupled; a i-ube in which the upper part of the spindle has a thrust bearing; bearings for the tube; and means for adjusting the tube to vary the height of the bowl.

11. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a bowl: a. bowl spindle divided into upper and lower parts telescopically coupled; a tube in which the upper part of the spindle has a thrust be: rin said tube being'divided into upper and lower parts; bearings for the tube and means for vertically adjusting the upper part of the tube on the lower.

12. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a bowl; a bowl spindle divided into upper and lower parts telescopically coupled; a tube divided into upper and lower parts; means for vertically adjusting the upper part of the tube on the lower; a thrust bearing between the upper part of the lube and the upper part of the spindle; a steadying bearing between the same two parts; and a thrust bearing tor the lower end of the lower part of the spindle; a steadying bearing for the same near its upper end, the said steadying bearing being also adapted to support the lower end of the divii ed tube.

13. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a bowl; a bowl spindle divided into upper and lower parts telescopically coupled; a tube divided into upper and lower parts; means for vertically adjusting the upper part of the tube on the lower; a thrust bearing between the upper partof the tube and the upper part of the spindle; a stcadying bearing between the same two parts; a thrust bearing for the lower end of the. lower part of the spindla; a steadying bearingrfor the same near its upper end, the said steadyinp; bearing being also adapted to support the lower end of the divided tube; and an elastic bearing sleadying the upper end of the divided tube.

14.. in a centrifugal separator the combination of a. bowl; a bowl spindle; a tube in which the spindle has a thrust bearing and means intermediate the ends of the tube for vertically adjusting the tube to vary the height of the bowl: stoadyine; means for the lower end of the tube; and. a bearing for the lower end of the spindle indepeniglent of the tube.

'ln centrinural apparatus the combination of a spindle; a dish encircling the spindle and displaccabl-e therewith in a directio trai'isverse ot the a xis oi. the bearing; sprii s engaging a stationary part and said disk tending to center the dish and spindle; an annular relatively stationary flange with which said disk contacts; and a spring engaging" a relatively stationary part and said dish to produce friction between said disk and flange.

nation of a spindle; a tube surrounding the spindle; a thrust bearing between the tube and spindle; a support for the lower end of the tube; an annular disk movable on but closely fitted to said tube; an annular relatively stationary flange With which said disk cont-acts; springs engaging a relatively stationary part and said disk tending to center the disk and spindle; and a spring engaging the disk and the tube tending to press the tube against its support and the disk against the flange.

17/In a centrifugal separator the combination of a bowl spindle suitably journaled having a ball formed at the'upper end; a head having a socket to receive the ball andshaped to have a limited rocking movement on the ball; and an annular crimped spring encircling the spindle and bearing against spindle and the head.

18. In a centrifugal separator the combination of a bowl spindle suitably journaled CHARLES MoLEOD.

Signed in the presenceof- FRED. HOWARD MCLEAN, GORDON Roy MILLER. 

